The first championship-style race of the 2022-23 Australian 18 Footers League season was sailed on Sydney Harbour today in a 10-15 knot North east breeze and was won by the classy Andoo team of John Winning Jr., Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton.
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Honeybadger wins J/24 North Americans
Sunday
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Travis Odenbach’s Honeybadger, with team Jay Miles, Chris Morgan, Monica Morgan and Terry Shannon, are the 2022 J/24 North American Champions, held October 28-30 in Annapolis, MD. Seven races were completed in the series, although none on the final day due to lack of breeze. – Details
Eight Bells: Al Chandler
Sunday
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Life-long sailor, international juror, and lifetime member of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Thailand, Albert T. Chandler, 86, has sailed off into his final sunset.
If he had one message to those he sailed beside or sat aside (or across from) on an international jury, it would be to make sure you make it to the 2023 ILCA Masters World Championships to be held in February at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) in Thailand. Seriously.
Al left on October 25, 2022, after a seven-week journey that ended peacefully in bed in the early morning hours as the sun rose over the Sierra Nevada Mountains in South Lake Tahoe, California. Only the day before he had been asking about the number of applications to the 2023 ILCA Masters. Seriously.
Born in Oakland, California, attending UC Berkeley for undergrad and then Harvard Law School before his profession would take him to Bangkok, Thailand. His childhood was spent in the Sierra Nevada Mountains so it was a fitting site for his final days.
His family wish to thank the international sailing community, and especially the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, for giving him such joy in his life. Despite a very busy schedule as a lawyer, he always made time for the sport and the friendships he found around the world through sailing. His contributions will outlive him in so many classes. – Read on
San Diego wins 2022 Lipton Cup
Sunday
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
San Diego Yacht Club defended their Sir Thomas Lipton Challenge Cup title when they defeated ten yacht club teams in J/105s on October 28-30 in San Diego, CA. Led by Tyler Sinks with crew Max Hutcheson, Lucy Wallace, Nick Kaschak, Eric Shampain, Jake La Dow, and Nevin Snow, they won three of 11 races in the round robin series to edge out Coronado Yacht Club by five points, with New York Yacht Club seven points off the lead. Yacht Club teams from across the USA competed in the 107th edition, with Sinks claiming his fifth Lipton Cup title. – Details
Cup Spy: Italians have eventful sail
Sunday
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Luna Rossa and Alinghi Red Bull Racing were the only two teams to sail on Saturday, with the Italians having their first sail in a moderate breeze in their LEQ12. The Swiss sported a new boomless mainsail. The Italians hit 28kts in their new LEQ12…
Melbourne’s Classic Yacht Cup Regatta D1
Saturday
Oct 29
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 29
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Alex McKinnon was out on the water today for the Classic Yacht Association of Australia (CYAA) 2022 Cup Regatta hosted by Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. The last time this regatta was held was in 2019, so it was great to be back on the water…
Cup Spy: AC40-OD Commissioning finished for ETNZ?
Saturday
Oct 29
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 29
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Recon Team following Emirates Team New Zealand as part of the AC37 Joint Recon believe that the commissioning phase of the AC40 project has finished, and that the America’s Cup champions will move onto development work for their next sailing session…
2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Entries close
Friday
Oct 28
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 28
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Multiple former winners, international entrants and a record number of two-handed competitors headline a strong contingent of 120 boats entered for the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race…
470 Worlds at Sdot Yam, Israel day 5
Friday
Oct 28
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 28
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Luise Wanser & Philipp Autenrieth (GER) have won the 470 World Championship in Sdot Yam, Israel, with a race to spare. It’s the first time in almost 30 years that Germany has won the 470 world title…
Weymouth Speed Week 2022
Thursday
Oct 27
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 27
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Little did Sir Tim Colman (yes, he of mustard fame) and James Gregono know when they and their peers started Weymouth Speed week in 1972 to see just how fast their boats could go over the now legendary 500m course…
America’s Cup: British reveal their LEQ12
Thursday
Oct 27
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 27
2022
Posted by XS Editor
(October 27, 2022) – Teams for the 37th America’s Cup are allowed to build only one AC75 race boat. There are no second chances, so the British America’s Cup team INEOS Britannia hopes the 40-foot test boat they launched today will play a vital role in the team’s program through to the next America’s Cup in 2024.
Code-named T6, they will commence with an extensive testing period from the team’s new base in Palma de Mallorca, primarily aimed at validating their design tools and testing key componentry ahead of the design deadline to start the build of the team’s AC75 race boat.
The Protocol allows teams to have LEQ12 yachts, which translated means a boat that is ‘less than or equal to 12 metres’. While entrants are required to buy the new AC40, which was created by the New Zealand defender for testing and training along with use in the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup, both the Italian and British campaigns have gone a step further by developing their own LEQ12s.
“There are three key reasons why we built T6 and they’re probably all equally valid,” explained Ben Ainslie, INEOS Britannia CEO and Skipper. “Firstly, we have this new partnership with Mercedes-AMG-F1 Applied Science. It’s a big deal trying to bring two design groups together and define common working practices and everything else that goes into designing a successful America’s Cup boat…
Cup Spy: ETNZ looks for a roughing up
Wednesday
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand took off on a tour of the inner Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday, chasing some bigger waves and seeking the answers to a few pressing questions. But they lucked out…
Eight Bells: Mike Birch
Wednesday
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Legendary Canadian ocean racer Mike Birch, who won the first edition of the Route du Rhum race by just 98 seconds, passed his final finish line at the age of 90. He was found on October 26 after dying peacefully in his sleep at his home in Brittany, north-west France.
The famous solo transatlantic race owes a huge debt of gratitude to Birch who at the age of 47, started it all when in 1978 when his yellow Walter Greene designed 12m trimaran won the race by 98 seconds ahead of Michel Malinovsky’s bigger, more powerful monohull.
Before offshore racing, Mike Birch learned his trade as a sailor which was far from being his first vocation. Born in Vancouver, he was in turn a miner, an oil worker, a cowboy, before taking another look at the horizon…
GryphonSolo2 – Leg 3 complete
Wednesday
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
We finally made it to New Zealand on Oct. 19 after 39 days at sea from Mauritius. Whoa – that was a long one…
Young 18 footer teams show their talent
Wednesday
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 26
2022
Posted by XS Editor
When the young The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines team of Alex Marinelli, Darcy McCracken and Matt Doyle won Race 2 of the Spring Championship on Sydney Harbour last Sunday it was also a victory for the Australian 18 Footers League…
2022 Rolex World Sailor of the Year
Tuesday
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The unstoppable Nacra 17 duo of Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti have added more awards to their impressive collection after being named Male and Female Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2022, respectively, at the World Sailing Awards…
Mana and Leopard 3: Forces of Nature
Tuesday
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Just after midnight this morning, Tuesday 25 October, the 43rd Rolex Middle Sea Race reached its first crescendo as Mana ghosted across the finish line to beat a charging Zoulou by a mere 56 seconds at the mouth of Marsamxett Harbour…
Cup Spy: Luna Rossa’s LEQ12 has first sail
Tuesday
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Six times Italian America’s Cup Challenger, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli became the fourth America’s Cup team to get sailing off their base in Cagliari, Sardinia on Monday…
Record numbers for Australia’s oldest yacht race
Tuesday
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
A change of start date and the large numbers taking part in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race has prompted record numbers for the Club’s annual Melbourne to Devonport Race – or ‘Rudder Cup’ as it famously known…
America’s Cup: First sail for Luna Rossa prototype
Tuesday
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
After the tow-test (towing out without mast and sails) on Friday October 21st, which served to run checks on all displaced surfaces, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s prototype set out on Monday on her first day of actual sailing…
Rolex Middle Sea Race – Multihull Line Honours
Tuesday
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 25
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Riccardo Pavoncelli’s MOD70 Mana (ITA) crossed the finish line of the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race at 00:32:38 CEST on Tuesday 25 October to take Multihull Line Honours in an elapsed time of 61 hours 32 minutes 38 seconds…
New sponsor approach for America’s Cup
Monday
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Challenger Selection Series for the America’s Cup has been named the Herbert Pell Cup (1958–1980), Louis Vuitton Cup (1983–2017), and Prada Cup (2021), and there will be new sponsor names for the 2024 events as defender New Zealand pursues additional funding.
As reported by Stuff media, Italian fashion giant Prada was squeezed out of the next regatta in Barcelona, with the decision by Prada ending an acrimonious period between the Italian syndicate Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Cup champions Emirates Team New Zealand.
While terms are not revealed, the Kiwis apparently see huge benefit in a new multi-level Olympics-type sponsorship setup for the Cup’s return to the European market which they believe could allow them to fully fund the team and the event…
IRC aims to be simple and economical
Monday
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
This year’s international IRC Congress was held in Malta ahead of the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race which started October 22… here is their report:
The meeting was chaired by Michael Boyd, also Chairman of the IRC Board, and representatives of several countries were present along with the IRC teams from the UK and France, while others around the world participated by video conference, including some new national representatives who will further strengthen IRC.
Participation is always enthusiastic, but showing particular dedication to IRC owners and the sport, the Australian Sailing Ratings Manager dialed in from an Xp44 racing in the inaugural Tollgate Islands Race, a 258nm IRC race going south from Sydney to Batemans Bays and back.
Most IRC Congress members are sailors themselves so have direct experience on the water as well as talking to boat owners; that helps shape the proposals and decisions they make in the meeting room: IRC is truly a rule made by sailors for sailors…
Eight Bells: Richard Bartlett
Monday
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Richard C. “Dick C.” Bartlett, Jr. of Severna Park, MD, passed away on October 11 at the remarkable age of 100.
A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Dick C. pursued his love of sailing and dinghy racing in such fitting ports of call as Annapolis along with California towns of Coronado, Long Beach, and Seal Beach where, among many others, he was stationed during his 25 years in the Navy.
While in Coronado, Dick C. purchased his first Snipe and helped establish Snipe Fleet 573 at the Coronado Yacht Club. During his final posting in Annapolis (1965), he became active in Snipe Fleet 532 at the Severn Sailing Association.
In 1971, when the Snipe was the largest one-design class in the country, Dick C. was principal race officer for the Snipe Nationals hosted that year by SSA. At the time he was also the club’s commodore after serving as vice commodore in 1968. In 1973 he became president of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association…
Multi Layers of Movement
Monday
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 24
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The 43rd Rolex Middle Sea Race came alive today, for some at least. It really is a race of two halves, as those crews to the west stretch their legs metaphorically in a stiff southerly, and those still to the east lie on deck waiting for the wind…
Grand Final Aloha Classic opens
Sunday
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The IWT Aloha Classic Finals is the ultimate week in competitive wave riding…
Finn Class launches new World Ranking
Sunday
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
After months of development, the Finn Class is excited to announce the launch of its new World Ranking list…
18ft Skiff Spring Championship race 2
Sunday
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The young Oak Double Bay-4 Pines team of Alex Marinelli, Matt Doyle and Darcy McCracken won their first 18 footer race when they led home the 16-strong Australian 18 Footers League fleet in Race 2 of the Spring Championship on Sydney Harbour today…
Cup Spy: A wet day for the Swiss
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Alinghi Red Bull Racing turned an interesting display of sailing in a rather turbulent Barcelona seastate. Designer Marcelino Botin, agreed afterwards that the the swell and chop could have a big effect on the design of team raceboats for Barcelona 2024…
America’s Cup: Prada out as Cup event sponsor
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The America’s Cup is looking for new sponsors after Italian fashion giant Prada was squeezed out of the next regatta in Barcelona in 2024. The event sponsorship model will change to be a multi-level Olympic sponsorship…
2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race underway
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Grand Harbour performed some magic today, as an assembled 118 yachts set off on the 43rd Rolex Middle Sea Race…
Mellow forecast for 43rd Middle Sea Race
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
A global fleet will compete in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race, with the 43rd edition starting October 22, attracting a fleet of 120 yachts from 25 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, as well as most of Europe.
Five maxi multihulls and two maxi monohulls are expected to lead the charge around the 606 nautical mile course, albeit at a more gentlemanly pace than last year. The prevailing forecast is for a light wind race, in complete contrast to the dream conditions of 2021.
Experienced navigator and race router Mike Broughton noted how high pressure was dominating the central Mediterranean. “There will be no records this year, but on the plus side there should be no rain,” he said.
The first sections of the course all the way up to the Messina Strait look extremely tricky, but the front runners should expect decent breeze as they exit the Strait and head to Stromboli. “This wind will be on the nose, as will the medium, mid-teens breeze likely to be encountered from the Egadi Islands down to Lampedusa on the western side of the course.”
In other words, this is going to be a test of patience, mental resilience and a determination to eke out every tenth of a knot possible…
No excuse to lose for 11th Hour Racing
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The US entry 11th Hour Racing Team provides this update on their preparation for the crewed, around the world race on October 22, 2022:
There are now less than 100 days until the start of The Ocean Race, 85 to be precise, and our team is in full training mode.
Based out of our second home in Concarneau, Brittany, France, the shore crew is working around the clock at the MerConcept base to ensure the boat is kept in peak condition for the sailors.
Having completed a two week session in late September, which included training with the prestigious Pôle Finisterre, the whole team will come together once again in Concarneau in mid-November. Soon after, the sailors will set off for Cascais, Portugal, and the last stint of training before heading to Valencia. Spain. Our final destination is, of course, Alicante, Spain, where we will arrive in the new year for the start of The Ocean Race on January 15, 2023.
The training at the small center of excellence in Brittany is a unique opportunity to collaborate with the best in the world of offshore sailing. They’re picky about who they select and you must play by their rules.
During one of the training days, the team’s Media Crew Member Amory Ross was on the phone from the 60 foot performance race boat as it was dealing with 35 knots of wind:
“It’s errrrrr, well [SLAM] let’s just say the sea is [SLAM] angry,” says Amory as he’s thrown around the cockpit. “We’re out here [SLAM] seeing waves between three to five meters and it’s [SLAM] pretty gnarly. You can see Charlie behind me and [SLAM] we’ve got a lot of learning to do out here.”
So, what exactly are they doing in the Bay of Biscay, alongside ten other boats? The answer is mining for gold…
2022 iQFOiL Worlds at Brest, France day 5
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Day 5 at the iQFOiL World Championships in Brest started strong with the wind gusting close to 50 knots and intermittent rain during the whole first part of the day…
African Diaspora Maritime and the America’s Cup
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Stan “The Fan” Charles and Gary Stein talk with Charles M. Kithcart, CEO of Baltimore-based African Diaspora Maritime, about ADM’s plan to launch the first predominantly Black team for the 2024 America’s Cup.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on by March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in September/October 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Project Landspeed frustrated by more rain
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
It has not been an easy few days for the Land Speed Team on Lake Gairdner. Like much of Eastern Australia, it too has seen more precipitation than welcome…
Making the turn in the Golden Globe
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
(October 20, 2022; Day 47) – Cards are reshuffled and more breakage for the fleet in the Golden Globe Race as the South Atlantic starts testing boats and sailors with the next film drop in Cape Town.
The Southern Hemisphere has not been overly welcoming, and the fleet has been consistently in confused seas over 4 metres and winds averaging 15 to 20 knots with occasional gusts to 40. Boats and sailors have taken a toll with several sailors injured, and a few boats needing repairs.
Damien Guillou (FRA) on his PRB entry called Golden Globe Race control today to advise that the stainless steel rudder shaft of his wind vane broke at the top of the rudder. The rudder was secured by a safety line so was not lost, and Damien continues sailing upwind for now without self steering.
He has a complete spare rudder shaft which will need replacing. He must remove the main transmission gear of the unit, pulling the broken shaft out and then sliding a new shaft in before replacing the main gear. Not an easy job as he then will have to go over the side to replace the rudder…
American Magic seeks a permanent base
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
New York Yacht Club American Magic is back in Pensacola for another winter, and the team is looking to make the Florida venue a permanent winter training location.
Terry Hutchinson, skipper and president of sailing operations for American Magic, told the News Journal that the team hopes to have a permanent brick-and-mortar facility at the Port of Pensacola in the coming years.
“Our goal has to be when we get done with (the America’s Cup) in 2024, we’re coming back to the American Magic High-Performance Training Center or the American Magic America’s Cup base here in Pensacola, Florida,” Hutchinson said. “So, we have a place to return to, we have a place that we can go straight back into our training facility and pick up right where we left off, win, lose or draw…”
Donald Lawson: Solo and nonstop
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Captain Donald Lawson, who acquired an ORMA trimaran in April 2022, is preparing for sailing solo and nonstop around the world, with a start date in February 2023 from Honolulu.
Launched in 2004 as Groupama 2, Lawson’s boat earned five ORMA championships under skipper Franck Cammas. America’s Cup challenger Oracle Team USA used the boat as a training platform for the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010, and then under new ownership in 2014, it set the Transpac Race record in 2017 as Mighty Merloe.
Anticipating an elapsed time fewer than 70 days, the 40-year-old from Baltimore seeks to be the First African American to Non-Stop Solo-circumnavigate the World, Fastest American (Rich Wilson 107d), First American on a Multihull Solo, and Fastest Person on a 60-foot boat (Armel le Clech holds it at 73 days from Vendee Globe as the Outright and Monohull for 59ft 11inches and shorter).
Donald Lawson Racing: https://captaindonaldlawson.com/
WSSRC: https://www.sailspeedrecords.com/records
2022 iQFOiL Worlds at Brest, France day 3
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Another shifty day from the East with the breeze coming straight off the hills, causing mayhem for some and jubilation for others across the fleets…
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